Lets talk bullets .308 cal

[HuntinCrazy]

Hey guys and gals,

I've been reloading for some 30+ years anything from 22-250 to .338
So my question is which brand of bullets do you load? I've got Serria, Hornaday and Speer on hand but looking for a new bullet to work up loads for my 30-06 and 338 win mag. North America big game. Reading about the Berger with its devastating wound cavity vs Barnes TSX with its ability to stay in one piece.

Right now I have Serrias loaded up with 180 and 215 boat tails but after reading about bullet break up I think I'm second guessing my self. I've shot deer and elk with both will no problems......so far

.308  180-190 gr
.338  200-250

Thanks for your opinions

[Magnum_Willys]

Load up some 250 accubonds in that .338 and you are good to go if you find a load your rifle likes.

[jrebel]

Nosler accubond or nosler partition....both great bullets. 

[DoubleJ]

Accubond is the only bullet I've found that my rifle likes.  Great bullet too.  Great expansion and great weight retention

[Stein]

I use the TSX in 168 grain for everything.  Great hunting bullet.


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[theleo]

My first choice for the 06 with 180's would be the trusty old Hornady Interlock, if you need new I'd play with the 190gr Accubond LR. I've shot a number of animals with the standard Accubond and personally feel that they are a stouter bullet than I like for deer, great on elk though. The long range version is supposed to be a bit softer but I've got no first hand results on game with them.

[Buzz2401]

I have harvested a dozen elk with the Barnes TSX and never had a failure yet but longest shot was 250 yards.  I really like the near 100% weight retention of them.  But honestly unless your buying a full metal jacket bullet I don't think you can go wrong with any of the bullets on the market today.

[Hilltop123]

  But honestly unless your buying a full metal jacket bullet I don't think you can go wrong with any of the bullets on the market today.

 

[fishsticks]

Nosler accubond or nosler partition....both great bullets.

Agreed.  180 gr out of a 30-06 works for pretty much anything.

[Curly]

Depends on what ranges you plan to shoot. 

Under 350 yards it is hard to argue against 168 gr Barnes tsx.

Bonded bullets like the Accubond would do well from up close to way out there.  Probably 180 gr for the 30-06.

A new bullet I'm trying this year is the Hornady ELD-X.  It has high BC and supposedly 50 - 60% retention. Probably not the best choice if you expect closer shots but should be real good for long range.
 

[carpsniperg2]

A new bullet I'm trying this year is the Hornady ELD-X.  It has high BC and supposedly 50 - 60% retention. Probably not the best choice if you expect closer shots but should be real good for long range.
 

I just took my 10th animal with a eldx in a 6.5 143g. The eldx is proven to me now and it a great choice at any range.
I shot my elk 3 days ago 100% dead center the leg bone at 75 yards. 3200 fps and it destroyed the bone went all the way through the vitals and stuck in the meat of the off side shoulder. The first one I have recovered in any of the animals with that rifle bullet combo but the damage and killing power and wounds have been impressive.

I have yet to weigh the bullet yet with going through so much bone and at 3200fps!!! I bet it is around 40% which is impressive at that range and velocity and bullet weight 143g. A bigger 180 or so will for sure hold up with more weight as the diameter will help with that.

[HuntinCrazy]

Thanks guys. One thing I noticed is no one said anything about Serria.  I think ill just use them for range days

[Magnum_Willys]

Thanks guys. One thing I noticed is no one said anything about Serria.  I think ill just use them for range days

Nothing wrong with the sierra.s.  The 300 gr SMK in a big .338 is tough to beat.   Lil heavy for the 338 wm tho. 

[carpsniperg2]

  I have killed a couple big game animals with smk's they work alright. I run them sub sonic in 300blk. Then sub and super in my 308 win. They are a super accurate bullet and my go to coyote bullet. However there are better choice for a all around big game bullet IMHO.

[Jolten]

Thanks guys. One thing I noticed is no one said anything about Serria.  I think ill just use them for range days

I use the 165gr hpbt gameking and I've had no issues. York did a test with some of them at insanely high volciity and they held up pretty well